Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane and More Stars React to 'Icon' Linda Lavin's Death: 'Went Out Doing What She Loved'

Mar. 15, 2025

Matt Bomer, Linda Lavin (middle), Nathan Lane.Photo:Variety via Getty; Getty; Getty

Variety via Getty; Getty; Getty

Tributes are pouring in for the late Linda Lavin followingher death at age 87.

TheAlicestar died on Sunday, Dec. 29, PEOPLE confirmed, and her representative said that she “passed unexpectedly due to complications from recently discovered lung cancer.”

Just before her death,Lavin had filmed several episodes ofMid-Century ModernwithNathan LaneandMatt Bomer, and both actors said they are “heartbroken” over her loss.

Calling her “a brilliant one of a kind actress, who could do comedy and drama with equal aplomb, and who made each day a joy to go to work,” Lane told PEOPLE in a statement, “I feel so very lucky and grateful I finally got to act with her and that she went out doing what she loved and still at the top of her game.”

“I called her Mom on camera and off and will treasure the memory of sharing this happy time with such a beautiful and loving soul,” Lane, 68, added.

“My heart goes out to her husband Steve, and all of her loved ones. Thank you, Ms. Lavin, for showing us all the way to do it,” Bomer concluded.

Matt Bomer, David Kohan, Nathan Lane, James Burrows, Linda Lavin, Max Mutchnick and Nathan Lee Graham on set of ‘Mid-Century Modern’.Max Mutchnick/Instagram

Max Mutchnick/Instagram

Several of the minds behind the upcoming Hulu series, including producers Max Mutchnick and David Kohan and director and executive producer James Burrows, released a joint statement following Lavin’s death.

“Working with Linda was one of the highlights of our careers. She was a magnificent actress, singer, musician, and a heat seeking missile with a joke. But more significantly, she was a beautiful soul. Deep, joyful, generous and loving," they toldRolling Stone. “She made our days better. The entire staff and crew will miss her beyond measure. We are better for having known her.”

Allison JanneyandSarah Paulsonalso paid tribute to Lavin, whom they both worked with.

Paulson wrote a lengthy tribute to Lavin as she reflected on the play they did together and a malfunction within the first five minutes of the show that the late actress fixed effortlessly.

“I was facing Linda, she facing the window- while I heard and she saw the window slowly close. With my heart racing, I stared at her… what the f— were we supposed to do?? She looked at me, cool as could be and said, ‘why don’t you come back in and we will start this again?'” Paulson recalled.

“She went over to the sill, got the window up and re-jammed and I scurried off stage and we started the play from the beginning. The audience went wild, roaring with laughter and applause. This was quintessentially why she was untouchable as a performer- she knew that the audience had seen the window fall, so we couldn’t continue as if it hadn’t- so we fixed it and began again- and they stayed with us.”

Paulson continued, “She was incapable of denying reality, and because of it, you knew that you were always safe with her, in an audience, on stage with her, sitting across from her at dinner. Safe. I’m not sure I’ve ever had a person more firmly in my corner- reaching out after seeing anything I was in, celebrating me as if I were her own. And I was.”

Linda Lavin as Gloria Blecher in ‘Elsbeth’.

Lavin also recently starred on Netflix’sNo Good Deed,and the show’s creator Liz Feldman also paidtributeto her, writing on Instagram, “You were, as always, incredibly gracious, totally hilarious and pitch perfect. Ready to play and full of life. Your warmth and kindness was unparalleled. I just loved you. We all did.”

“I’m so glad I got to see you a few weeks ago at the premiere and introduce you to my parents. They were thrilled to meet you. And my father made it very clear to me that you were his favorite part ofNo Good Deed. He wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Thank you for letting me into your stunning orbit. And for allowing me to spin with you for a while. 🩷.”

Several of her former costars have reflected on her lasting impact in their lives, too, including herRoom for TwocstmatePatricia Heaton, who called Lavin “a true friend and a total force of nature” in aposton X (formerly Twitter).

“I just heard the news that my dear friend Linda Lavin died,” Heaton wrote. “Totally unexpected, even at the age of 87.”

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Joe Mantegna shared aselfiewith her on Instagram, writing, “One of the rarest gifts in life is to make a ‘new’ old friend. Linda Lavin was that for me and my family. Rest in peace dear Linda.”

Wendell Piercealso posted. He shared aphotoof Lavin inElsbethon X, writing alongside it, “Linda Lavin was a consummate artist and professional. She co-starred this year with us on [Elsbeth] and delivered a wonderful performance as we launched our show. From stage to screen, she was iconic. May flights of angels sing her to her rest. RIP.”

source: people.com